Canon FD lenses cannot be mounted on an EOS (EF mount) body without corrective optics OR modifying the lens mount using the EDMIKA lens mount changing kits. For EDMIKA you need to check for which FD lenses they have created the kit and selling it (or plan to make), as (if I remember correctly) all FD lenses are not adaptable. The corrective optics adapter will however reduce the image quality. Nikon F mount, Pentax K and Screw Mount, Olympus OM can be adapted with a simple adapter without the need of corrective optics.

I'd look into the 28mm f/2.8 (it's considered one of their "sharpest" lenses ever), and the 105mm f/2.5 (a classic Nikon portrait lens) to start. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the old Nikon glass. You can find good deals on ebay- even if they are beaten and scratched to hell, they still perform great.

There is a lot of decent M42 mount stuff available at reasonable prices. My favorite is the Pentax 1.4 Super Takamur. A beautiful lens, and as sharp as anything around. What you can mount to your body varies, there are lots of guides on the internet on what works with what.

I've found few old lenses that can match even a 50mm f/1.8 for sharpness and color. The resolution was not needed for film and except for the higher end lenses that are difficult to find, its not there. I have several adapters for Nikon, M42, OM, and even Hasseblad. I have a ton of older lenses of many makes. They are fun to play with, but most of them (not all) are not up to digital standards.

I've got Olympus/Zuiko adapters, Nikon adapters, and M42/Pentax/Takumar adapters, along with an EdMika adapted Canon 55/1.2 FL and a Jim Buchanan adapted Minolta 58/1.4. They all work great on crop bodies, not sure about full frame as sometimes there is mirror interference.

I highly recommend the Canon 55/1.2 FL, the micro-Nikkor 55/2.8, and the Super-Takumar 50/1.4 or SMC-Takumar 50/1.4. The SMC-Takumar is very slightly sharper than the Super-Takumar, but not much. Of these, the Canon is the most expensive and the Super-Tak the least. If you need razor thin DOF, the Canon is the tool of choice. If you need macro, the micro-Nikkor is stupid sharp and focuses to 1:2 without the extension tube adapter. Takumars are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. All of these are built like tanks and a joy to work with.

Just had another thought. If you are gathering a set of primes to do video work, the hard converted lenses like the EdMika and Jim Buchanan conversions can usually be converted to smooth aperture instead of detents by removing a spring loaded ball during the conversion process.

I'm not interested in video. I want a setup of old - sharp - primes to use on modern digital FF bodies. I was wondering which ones of them is up to today's standard and can be cheaply purchased.

The idea occurred to me because I have a 25-years-old Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 MK1, which is better built and easily sharper than any MK2 I've seen. And it also focuses more consistently.

So, back in those days in the 70's and 80's when lenses were extremely expensive and most people used to have only a 35mm or a 50mm, lenses were also better built. Mechanically they're better than most mass-produced lenses around today, and if they keep up optically as well, then I've found my inspiration.

I've seen that old Zeiss Contax lenses have quite high prices in the used market as well. Are they better or just Zeiss-branded?

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Zeiss Jena 35mm f/2.8 or f/2.4 are both good and i really dig the colors on mine (2.8 zebra edition). Super Takumar 50mm 1.4 is also really nice, make sure its the multi coating version. Vivitar 28mm f/2.5 soft wide open but its still nice I think most old m42 lenses are quite good.

Oh and dont worry about the focussing I got no af confirm chip and just using my standard 1100D viewfinder and i get as many keepers as with my AF lenses. But i also dont shoot speedy things! Just people in normal pace etc.

Maybe going with another brand for this project would be better suited.

Case in point, I was thinking of pick up a Pentax K30 dslr. Nothing too fancy, but with the native ability to mount most, if not all, Pentax lenses from the beginning, and the in-body IS, sound a bit more fun.